Dear.Jessie.pass.the.memories.please.

However rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship.
* François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

Dear Mrs. Jessie Hayes.

-I love this girl. when I entered college as a scared freshman in an unfamiliar place, I was lucky enough to roll with a roommate who was in a similar spot...Jess. we clicked immediately. mostly I think because were both a little bit no-nonsense. we tried to keep a clean house, .IMPOSSIBLE.,we laughed while we did a llama sock photo shoot, we cried over missionary letters, we giggled over boys, we did the right thing, we did the wrong thing. we cried over loss, we smiled at hope, we were bitches...and proud of it. we ate Thai food, burgers, Costco hot dogs, American Slurpee's.... we had chocolate mint and grape times (JESS YOU KNOW!) ha ha we gained our freshman 15, we went to hockey games, we painted our faces, we made t-shirts, we made dinner for dirty hockey boys, we played doctor for the sick and injured, we were true fans, we got kicked out of hockey games, we cursed at reff's, we sang the Canadian national anthem, we went on road trips, we played with miss piggy, she got my nasty hair done for Christmas present last year, I said "I bought this pink bag...it goes with my red shirt!" I played the piano for her, we fought, she stuck up for me, she gave me perspective, we drove and screamed to "kitty", we got our nails done, we wanted to KILL roommates...but didn't, we phoned each other from the room next door, we watched cooking shows, we hot tubbed, we PIERCED OUR TONGUES! oh ya, we went to school sometimes, she bought me a hippy necklace that I love, she taught me that I can do whatever I want, and do it well.

I look up to Jessie SO much. I mean, seriously. she's recently marrried to a marine. a wonderfull LUCKY guy who loves her to death, but who is thousands of miles away from her right now. and has been since I met her those years ago. but one thing that Jessie had that I never had with anyone...she KNEW she loved her Shane, and she KNEW that she was going to be with him. no.matter.what. it was worth the fight. no matter if they fought, or if he made her cry, or if he made her mad...she knew that it was all part of the bigger picture. the amazing love that they have. she taught me how to fight for someone I love. she watched relationships come and go for me, all the time telling me maybe that it wasn't love....she knew it wasn't. she watched Seth and I with great interest, and I think she knew that maybe, we didn't have what it took to make it work...that "staying power" she was right, I think Seth and I lacked that unconditional love...giving up everything on both ends, for the other person. there are a million memories to add to the list above....thanks mami. Jessie is an amazing friend and a great American. all these kilometers away...and her stubborn American ass is still my favorite one.

.I. .miss. .you. .Jessie!.

x.o.x.o

.R.